Media and Security... One Front in Facing Challenges

- Faisal Al-Jazzaf: Responsible handling of information is essential to protect society and enhance its ability to understand changes and confront challenges.

- Ayed Al-Munaie: There is a significant responsibility on official authorities to provide the media with accurate information.

- Saleh Al-Mutairi: The role of institutions during crises is not merely to convey news or information, but to explain it so that the audience can understand.

- Yaqoob Al-Kandari: There is no distinctive socio-economic development in society without a fundamental role for research centers in decision-making.

- Adnan Al-Rashed: An operations room is required to provide accurate information to the audience.

A seminar titled “The Importance of Media and Strategic Security,” organized by the Journalists Association and the Retired Officers Association, discussed the dimensions of the relationship between media and security, the role of media in crisis management and combating rumors, as well as the importance of coordination among relevant authorities and activating the role of research and studies centers in supporting decision-making.

Participants in the seminar, held on Tuesday evening, emphasized that societal awareness, credibility, and national responsibility are fundamental pillars in confronting challenges. They stressed that the battle is no longer solely military, but has also become a battle of information, imagery, and narrative, requiring professional media capable of interpretation and awareness-raising, rather than merely reporting events.

At the outset, Faisal Al-Jazzaf, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Retired Officers Association, stated that “the seminar is held out of our conviction that awareness is no longer optional, but has become one of the fundamental components, and that responsible handling of information has become a necessity to protect society and enhance its ability to understand changes and deal with challenges.”

For his part, political researcher Dr. Ayed Al-Munaie addressed security in the lives of societies, asking, “Is there life, stability, and development without security? Impossible. And can people move and live their normal lives without security? Certainly, this is not possible.” He added, “There may be groups or individuals competing with security, posing a threat to people’s lives, for example, or there may be armed organizations carrying out such activities.”

Al-Munaie pointed to “the individual’s self-responsibility in seeking out correct information, or so it is assumed,” noting that “there is a significant responsibility on official authorities to provide the media with accurate information to the greatest extent possible.”

For his part, Saleh Al-Mutairi, Director of the Media Studies Center, discussed the role of media at all times, stating, “Sometimes we believe that we need media during crises, or that media needs to be controlled. No, media or media security should live with an approach and a paradox simultaneously.”

Al-Mutairi added, “Sometimes official authorities need to exercise some caution, or they have a different perspective on information or news dissemination compared to journalists, whose primary concern is the speed of news transmission. However, today, speed of news is no longer the issue, because information has become instantaneous, meaning that everyone has their device and can publish.”

Thus, today, even traditional platforms and established, prestigious journalistic institutions urgently need to develop their digital capabilities, meaning speed of dissemination, what deserves publication, what deserves focus, and what is influential. Today, given this speed, there is a need for verification, credibility, transparency, and national responsibility.”

Al-Mutairi questioned, “Does national responsibility limit speed, journalistic precedence, or the volume of information? I believe that the role of institutions during crises is not merely to convey news or information, but to explain this information so that the audience can understand.”

For his part, Dr. Yaqoub Al-Kandari, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center at Kuwait University, stated that “it is impossible under any circumstances to build distinctive socio-economic development in any society unless research centers play a fundamental role in decision-making. All advanced countries rely on their research centers within their executive institutions, as well as on private research centers that produce information and studies.”

Al-Kandari added, “At the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center, we have tried our best to transform these ideas, research, and studies into working papers through the variables and conferences we organize, and we send them to the relevant authorities. Honestly, I do not know whether the relevant authorities take them into account or not.”

He pointed out that “the invasion and occupation of Kuwait in 1990 lasted seven months, during which we suffered until it ended in 2003, and Iranian aggression has also exceeded seven months to date.” He noted that forms of suffering took the shape of sirens, armed attacks, shelling, missiles, drones, and other elements such as rumors and cells, while expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Interior and its specialized agencies for their national role.

Major General (Retired) Faisal Al-Jazaf, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Retired Officers Association, emphasized that “the media and information environment has undergone rapid transformations, turning news, opinion, and information into influential tools in shaping public awareness and building or undermining trust. Hence the importance of this symposium, which brings together political vision and media expertise, to open a responsible dialogue on the relationship between media and strategic security, and the role of institutions and society in consolidating awareness, credibility, and responsibility.”

Political researcher Dr. Aaid Al-Muna’ highlighted that the Iranian reaction to the war and conflict in the region since February 28 was not anticipated, praising the role of the armed forces—including the army, National Guard, and security forces—and their ability to confront and successfully repel these threats with great strength. He stressed the importance of war media and the careful consideration of what is published and what is withheld, especially when information pertains to national security.

Salih Al-Mutairi, Director of the Media Studies Center, asked, “When does a citizen, resident, or general audience member feel trust? If they feel that this media institution or platform has helped them understand what they perceive, hear, or feel, especially during times of anxiety in war, they need platforms that inform them about the situation, not merely reassure them, but make them aware and understanding of what is happening around them. Therefore, I believe this is the core mission.”

Al-Mutairi observed that “war is not just about missiles, artillery, aircraft, and drones. Today, it is a war of narratives. Whoever controls the image or can shape the image holds a significant part in formulating, promoting, and defending their society. I believe we have succeeded to a large extent: we succeeded in repelling these attacks, in maintaining discipline, and in rallying around leadership, security institutions, and even media institutions. Many of our media platforms demonstrated a high sense of responsibility and did not fall prey to rumors.”

Dr. Yaqoub Al-Kandari, Director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center at Kuwait University, also addressed the state of research centers in Kuwait, stating, “Unfortunately, the role of research and studies centers is not what is expected or should be fulfilled.”

He added, “Despite personal efforts by individuals within and outside the university to present certain media aspects, studies, courses, or surveys, there is a very clear deficiency. A political society cannot be built except through thinkers, scholars, researchers, and specialists addressing any specific issue.”